Should a person with Essential Tremor pursue a nursing career?

gemimi · Jan 17, 2011

I had ET for about three years but it was after nursing school. It didn't stop me but did become more pronounced under extreme stress. Don't let it stop you from your dreams, many are better off than you and many are worse off than you. Go for it and work with it, it will be OK. Oddly enough, I later was diagnosed with cancer and received a full bone marrow/stem cell transplant. I had to go off my meds during the last run of chemotherapy and after the transplant the tremors went away. Funny how those oil changes work!!! AND GET TO YOUR DOC AND GET BACK ON YOUR MEDS!!! WE ONLY HAVE TIME TO DO WHAT WE MAKE TIME TO DO.....Good luck to you and God speed.

Zookeeper3 · Jan 17, 2011

Mark, you've been given excellent advice, please allow me to give you the negative, which in no way is meant to dissuade you, just my personal exp.

In our ICU, we had a nurse that developed tremors in the hands, we suspected parkinsons, but she was not comfortable sharing the issue. Later, patients began complaining of her shaking hands, administering IV meds, unsuccessfully attempting IV starts and because she was a gem, she was moved to a non patient care area .

Only you with practice will know if you can skill down, the skill of hands on care, or can your wits and knowledge be a benefit to non patient? there are options, but please know your limits from the start as you begin so that you don't have to re-visit a career choice. Just trying to save you future grief. AND wish you the best!

shakyinohio · Jan 19, 2011

Hi Zookeeper3:

I appreciate the honesty and will take your advice under careful consideration. Thank you.

Mark

Jules A, MSN · Jan 19, 2011

I say, "Don't ever let a disability stand in the way of your dreams".

I think the OP will definitely be able to find areas of nursing that won't be a problem with essential tremor and would encourage him to go for it. I'm all about pursuing our dreams and if someone with a disability is capable of doing the job that is great but I also believe there are times as mature adults when we need to re-evaluate and make modifications in "our dreams". Anyone out there that had to face the fact that they aren't pro-football or super model material? :)

Hoping2NurseinRI · Nov 8, 2013

I know this is an old thread, but have been feeling the "burden" of ET lately. So really I am just yammering on.

It is a relief to see others who have many of the same thoughts! I have had essential tremors since childhood. Luckily my mother never let it be an excuse and the majority of my toys focused on fine-motor movement (legos, etc). I went through school, played instruments, dealt with bullys (they called me "shakes"), and worked in Animal Medicine where people would say 'She's going to draw blood, yeah right'. I often doubted myself on the inside, but used people's negative comments as fuel for my fire. Prior to leaving the veterinary field. I was successful in everything from central line placement, to foley placement.

I made the leap, did the work, and am now in my first year of Nursing School. Clinicals have been a challenge. Even while practicing with my classmates, my hands betray me!! I know the more comfortable I get, the less obvious it will be. I also deal with ADHD, so combine those meds, morning coffee, and then nervousness in school, and it's borderline ridiculous. I do have classmates/friends who bring it up on the regular, and that in itself can be hurtful. My response is usually witty/sarcastic, "Right, I'm choosing to let my hands do this". It is helpful having professors who recognize it, and just brush it off, as they should.

I have a family history of brain related issues, Essential Tremors, ADHD, Parkinson's. All which mess with dopamine. The one thing I have decided is dealing with this crap will make me a better nurse, it provides an understanding that will directly help you in helping your patients.

I am sure once we get into work with syringes I will have to deal with my tremors, but they are a part of me, and I refuse to let them get in the way of my goals! Best of luck to everyone out there, and don't let them stop you from pursuing your dreams!

"I attribute my success to this; I never gave or took any excuse"- Florence Nightingale

monkeybug · Nov 8, 2013

I am a nurse of 16 years with essential tremors. Because I learned to do everything with the tremors, it hasn't help me back. I learned to work around it. The only time it ever really bothered me was when I was scrub nurse for c-sections, because it was then my job to put the staples in the patient while the doctor held the incision closed with pickups. I would always apologize, and 99.9% of the time the doctor would just tell me it was fine, to take my time. When doing something with a patient, I found that it was best for me to tell them that I had shaky hands before I came at them with a needle (they'll often assume you're nervous if you don't tell them). Don't let it stop you! And I second the poster that suggested some of the really cheap beta blockers. I take an extended release generic version, and pay $5 per month.